The race to protect 30% of our planet by 2030

Art · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: A global movement is attempting to shield nearly a third of Earth's land and oceans from degradation. While the goal sounds simple, achieving it requires navigating complex geopolitical tensions, indigenous rights, and massive funding gaps across every continent.

The '30 by 30' initiative is a global commitment to designate 30% of Earth's land and ocean areas as protected zones by the year 2030. Proposed in a 2019 Science Advances article, the target was formally adopted in December 2022 during the COP15 meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It became a cornerstone of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, supported by major entities including the G7 and the European Union.

Progress remains uneven. As of May 2026, protected areas stood at approximately 17.3% for terrestrial land and inland waters, and 9.8% for marine areas. When including Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), these figures rise slightly to 18.4% and 10.0%, respectively. In the European Union, despite a strategy proposed in May 2020 to protect 30% of territory, the region was not on track to meet its targets as of 2023.

The initiative faces significant hurdles, including controversy over indigenous rights and the need for equitable governance. To address this, various nations are developing specific frameworks. The United States launched a ten-year campaign in May 2022 emphasizing tribal sovereignty and private property rights, while California established a Biodiversity Collaborative to coordinate strategies between government agencies, Native tribes, and experts. Success depends on balancing strict protection with sustainable use and local stewardship.

Funding is a critical pillar of this effort; for instance, US$5 billion was announced in September 2021 for the 'Protecting Our Planet Challenge.' These efforts are increasingly integrated into broader economic policies, such as the European Green Deal, which links biodiversity restoration to green recovery and public-private decision-making.

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